I agree with the points raised by Margaret and others. We have all had situations where the patient didn't have private or Medicare Ins coverage and have found ways to provide a loaner or used laptops i Phones with software, etc. To be able to do this assumes a fairly high level of tech-savey by the clinician and/or the patient. Additionally, it requires more clinician time--the majority of which is not reimbursed. As Margaret suggests SGD manufacturers costs (which translate into SGD price points) come from many things not the least of which is providing technical support and training to patients AND the clinicians who serve these patients. Without this type of support many clinicians would NOT be willing to see patients who need SGDS. OK off my soap box now.

Pamela Mathy, PhD, CCC-SLP
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, MD

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From: "Margaret Cotts"
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:37:52 -0700
To: <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Assistive Technology] NYTimes.com: For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy

Hi Amy-

Thanks for posting this- very interesting…

 

Parts of the article made me nervous, though…  I don’t think it explored some of the downsides of having insurance purchase iPhones and Netbooks…

 

-         What happens when a person loses the ability to type/use their fingers? Does Medicare buy them another device?

-         I think it makes too light of the importance of tech support…

-         What happens when a person is ready for their second device, but can’t get it because they are in hospice?

 

Margaret Cotts

 

From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amy Roman
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:51 PM
To: AT ALS Listserv
Subject: [Assistive Technology] NYTimes.com: For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy

 

Interesting article discussing some of the new options for do-it-yourself high tech AAC (most come in under $450.00 for all components). 

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

Forbes Norris ALS Research Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
P (415)600-1263
F (415)673-5184

 



 

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TECHNOLOGY   | September 15, 2009
For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy
By ASHLEE VANCE
Despite their usefulness and lower cost, devices like iPhones and netbook PCs that can help the speech-impaired are not covered by Medicare or insurers.

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